The power to shape society, spark innovation and move culture. That’s what the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee offers to our entering freshman class each year. Combine your ideas, strengths and determination with our world-class faculty, rich diversity and location in the cultural and economic heart of the state. Your brilliant future will start to unfold. Ready to reveal your power as a new freshman at UWM?
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Milwaukee: Past, Present, Future
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Admission Guidelines
If you are an exceptionally strong student, you’ll find plenty of company at UWM, with lots of opportunities for academic challenge. But, in fact, we admit students with a fairly wide range of academic preparation, at all three of our campuses. Here are the main factors we consider:
| COURSE | CREDITS |
| English: At least three years literature and composition recommended. Up to one year may be from approved speech, communication, or journalism courses. |
4 |
| Mathematics: College prep courses at or above algebra level (more math is recommended for math intensive majors). |
3 |
| Natural Science: Including at least one year of lab science (more science is recommended for science intensive majors). |
3 |
| History/Social Science: | 3 |
| Specific College Prep Electives: Chosen from above the areas, foreign language, speech/communication, or other academic areas. |
2 |
| Other Electives: Chosen from the above areas, computer science, fine arts (performance courses acceptable), or other appropriate courses. |
2 |
| TOTAL: | 17 |
| Note – Foreign language: Foreign language is not required for admission to UWM, but taking at least two years of a foreign language in high school will speed your path to graduation. To graduate from UWM, a student must complete a foreign language requirement that differs depending on the degree. To receive a bachelor of science degree from UWM, students must take either 2 years of a single foreign language in high school or 2 semesters in college. To receive a bachelor of arts degree in any program in the College of Letters & Science, students must take either 4 years of a single foreign language in high school or 4 semesters in college. To receive any other bachelor of arts degree at UWM, students must take either 2 years of a single foreign language in high school or 2 semesters in college. |
Performance on standardized tests is only one factor considered in the admission process*. While the writing portion of the ACT is not required, we will consider these results if you wish to submit them. In addition to your composite score, we also consider your sub-scores in the area(s) (English, math, reading, science) that closely relate to your intended major at UWM. Submission of ACT/SAT results is not required of freshman applicants age 21 or older.
*Beginning with Fall 2020, test-optional has been adopted by the UW System. If you are interested in opting into test-optional admissions, please contact us at undergraduateadmissions@uwm.edu to learn more.
Applicants for Fall, Spring, and Summer 2021 please check back for additional updates regarding this process.
Admission Steps
Application Process and DatesApplication Process and Dates
FALL APPLICANTS: Applications are accepted beginning August 1 for the fall semester with a priority deadline of March 1st. After March 1st, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will continue to review applications on a case-by-case basis until enrollment capacity has been reached.
Apply online at apply.wisconsin.edu
Pay the Application Processing Fee
You may pay your fee online when you submit your application. Or, you may log back into your application to submit your fee online later. We also accept a check or money order.
Send Transcripts
Send Test Scores
It is recommended that new freshmen submit ACT or SAT test scores*. When you take the ACT or SAT, select UW-Milwaukee (ACT school code: 4658; SAT school code: 1473) to have your scores sent directly to us. Submission of ACT/SAT results is not required of freshman applicants age 21 or older. If you have taken Advanced Placement exams (AP), International Baccalaureate exams (IB), or the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams and would like UWM to evaluate these scores for possible credit, please have your results sent from these testing agencies. Students whose native language is not English and who were not educated in an entirely English-speaking country will likely need to submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
*Beginning with Fall 2020, test-optional has been adopted by the UW System. If you are interested in opting into test-optional admissions, please contact us at undergraduateadmissions@uwm.edu to learn more.
Applicants for Fall, Spring, and Summer 2021 please check back for additional updates regarding this process.
Admission Decisions
Soon after we receive your application, we will send you information about how to check the status of your application online, via our PAWS (Panther Access to Web Services) student information system. Log onto PAWS to monitor your application “to do” items. Once all of the “to do” items disappear, your file is complete and is ready for an admission decision. During peak times, you may expect to wait 2-3 weeks for a decision.
Potential outcomes may include:
- Direct admission to the Milwaukee campus
- A request for additional information to be sent
- Denied with an offer of admission to either the Waukesha or Washington County campuses
- Denied
Common Questions
A completed application file consists of:
- an application
- an official high school transcript
- your ACT or SAT scores
- $25 application processing fee.
Upon submission of your materials, you will be mailed directions to access your PAWS (Panther Access to Web Services) account to check the status of your application. Because you may submit your application for admission to UWM while you are still enrolled in high school, after you have graduated you will also need to receive a final high school transcript with your final semester grades and graduation date posted.
No, we recommend that you submit your ACT/SAT scores*. An ACT or SAT score can provide useful information that we will consider alongside the other required application materials. For students who will be 21 by September 1st before the start of the term they wish to enroll scores will not be requested. There are also some situations when students over 21 may be asked to provide a test score to help us determine admission. This could be an ACT or SAT, or it could be our Admission Test Series. If you need to provide additional information, staff from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will reach out to you.
**Beginning with Fall 2020, test-optional has been adopted by the UW System. If you are interested in opting into test-optional admissions, please contact us at undergraduateadmissions@uwm.edu to learn more.
Applicants for Fall, Spring, and Summer 2021 please check back for additional updates regarding this process.
UW-Milwaukee does have a Residency Policy which states that all first-time students under the age of 21 are expected to live on-campus, where availability allows. There are a few valid reasons to be exempt from this policy. For more information on the process to request an exemption, visit:https://uwm.edu/housing/students/residency-requirement/.
For students attending UWM at Waukesha and UWM at Washington County, you must take your placement tests at your intended campus because the essay component is not offered elsewhere.
If students do not take placement tests, you will not be invited to the Student Advising and Registration program (New Student Orientation). This means you would not be able to register for classes.
Additional resources
Mailing Address
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
P.O. Box 749
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0749
Street Address
Welcome Center
2100 E Kenwood Blvd
Milwaukee, WI 53211